The electrical system is malfunctioning the fans do not kick on at all, even after reaching temperature.Even when the "Air" condition is turned on full blast or the "Heater" it doesn't matter which one is used it still doesn't engage the "Fan".

- Owensboro, KY, USA

Car has problem with overheating (also found out this is common with this model and make). This is a safety issue as you can break down on road which can either cause an accident or cause road blockage.

- Biglerville, PA, USA

Engine fan does not turn on causing car to overheat. I have spoken to other owner that have a PT CRUISER (different years) and they also have the same problem with the fan. I called the Chrysler dealer which did not have enough complaints about this so they are not issuing any recalls yet. I took this car to my mechanic and he could not determine what is causing this but he did not have the equipment to check the car computer. Another place has the equipment but wants $200. To see if it is a problem with the computer. I feel that Chrysler should cover this since it does not just effect my vehicle but many PT CRUISER.

- Biglerville, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact, a certified mechanic, replaced all of the sensors on the vehicle, the relays, and the electrical fuses; however, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

- Trinway, OH, USA

The contact owned a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed white smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then became engulfed in flames. The contact exited the vehicle and rushed away from the scene. The contact stated that the vehicle exploded. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. It was not indicated if a police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent a technician to inspect the vehicle. No further assistance was offered. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was 107,000. The VIN was not provided.

- North Pruro, MA, USA

"takata recall " in my PT CRUISER the engine dropped down in the car and the front axle bar and frame was broken and the wheels could not turn or control the car I am lucky to be alive the vehicle was in motion on a city street trying to turn into a ice cream shop the car is still doing a sudden jerking when driven and after paying a lot of money to get it started and fixed I am still having problems with this car and no money to get another.

- Port Huron, MI, USA

Was driving vehicle going 55 mph and dashboard faults out with incoherent readings and transaxle shifts self into neutral. I shift gear selector into neutral and back into drive. Dashboard readings go back to normal and transaxle goes back into drive. 15 seconds later battery light comes on. Continue driving to find a place to park. After about 10 seconds engine stalls out. Shift gear selector into neutral and try to restart vehicle but it won't start. Coast to a stop and open hood. Notice an odd smell. Open hood and alternator is on fire. Close hood and grab personal belongings (except for phone charger) out of vehicle. Call 911 as vehicle burns up. Fire and police arrive and extinguish fire but vehicle badly destroyed by being engulfed in flames.

- Machesney Park, IL, USA

I filed a claim with Chrysler about the rusted out engine cradle and they refused to replace it.

- Carnegie, PA, USA

I have had many problems with this car to include electrical, over heating (which was never fixed even after taking it to the dealership 3 times), and transmission. In 2013 as I was driving down a busy 4 lane hwy. I heard a sudden and loud booming noise and the car began shaking violently. Thinking that I had hit something in the road I began slowing down and making my way to the shoulder of the hwy. But before I could get to the shoulder of the hwy. The car made that loud booming noise a second time and shook violently again. It then lost all power to the front wheels leaving me stranded in the middle of the hwy. After removing and opening up the transmission I found that the drive shaft in the center of the transmission had sheared in half. Upon further inspection I believe that the slightly worn engine mounts cause a binding action on the drive shaft in the transmission thus causing the shaft which is made of a composite material to basically explode inside the transmission. This problem is so well known by us car buffs that jasper engines Inc. (a well known company that remanufactures engines and transmissions) replaces this stock shaft with a stronger more robust one when they remanufacture these transmissions. The violent shaking of the car that happened when this transmission shaft failed almost cause me to loose control of the vehicle on a very busy hwy. Chrysler should recall all transmissions with this type of composite shaft.

- Lafayette, GA, USA

I first sent this complaint on Mar 7, 2014 and received an email reply acknowledging it, but since haven't heard anything. Is my complaint being taken seriously? it is a serious complaint as follows: On Feb 5, 2014, my 2001 PT CRUISER shut down while it was being driven down a busy street. It didn't make a sputter or a sound, it just died. Luckily, it coasted long enough for me to pull off onto a quieter street and up against a curb. We had it towed to the automotive shop the explanation for the motor shutting down was alarming. The automotive tech reported the crankshaft position sensor needed replacing. As I understand, when this sensor goes bad, the engine automatically shuts down. With no warning. I had gas in my pt. I don't think people know about this; the tech said most cars that are 'newer' (as far back as 2002, at least) have this sensor. This is a serious safety concern and appears to be widespread. I looked through every page of my 2001 PT CRUISER owner's manual and didn't find any indication that there would be a problem like this or that the crankshaft position sensor should be tested regularly, if it could be tested, that is. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration would be doing the public a lifesaving service to look into the danger of this failed design, not to just replace them in all cars with a new one, but with one that is not designed to fail at the risk of the drive and anyone else in the vicinity when a moving car decides to just shut down. With no warning. There is not a time frame for this part to fail, but cars that are around my cruisers may be ready to give out. Please look into this dangerous situation. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Louisville, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler PT CRUISER. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

I was making a right hand turn from a main road onto a side street. While the car was turning, I heard a clunk and the steering wheel was jerked from my hands. The car pulled hard to the right and crashed into the curb. The car was towed to the repair shop and the service tech showed me the engine cradle was completely rusted out and the K frame was cracked all the way thru. It's to rusted to be welded and I was told this is a common problem with the cruiser and Dodge neon, since they use the same frame. The tech also told me I was lucky that I wasn't moving at high speed or the results could have been fatal. He also told me that Chrysler is aware of this problem, they are completely out of replacement parts, and they basically ignore any complaints.

- Buffalo, NY, USA